There have been many different types of faucets throughout the years. Some styles are more popular than others. Different styles of kitchen faucets have been trending from time to time. Consumers switch between the styles often, trying to find the perfect faucet.
Bathroom vanity faucets come in many varieties as well. However, the different styles for lavatory faucets are more subtle when compared to kitchen faucets. They all have a similar basic shape and not many differences.
Faucet Handles
Let’s first talk about the different types of handles for the faucets. There are single-handle faucets and double-handle faucets. The handles are used for temperature control and to accommodate the existing plumbing pipes and countertop surface.
Single-handle faucets take up less space. There is only one lever, you turn the handle either clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the temperature. If you used them before, as you probably have, you may realize that adjusting the temperature can be proven somewhat difficult at times. The water takes a while to be hot and it also takes a while for it to be completely cold as well.
Double-handle faucets have two levers, one for hot water and one for cold water. Double-handle faucets are easier to control the temperature, especially when you want just cold or just hot tap water. However, it adds an extra step of turning the additional handle each time you have to wash something. The extra step can get annoying after doing it frequently after some time.
Faucet Heads
Fixed faucet heads are simple. They get the job done but can be very limiting. You cannot have the water go in other directions, only one fixed direction. You will have to rotate the item you are washing instead of adjusting the nozzle. When washing large items like a pot, it can be hard on your arms to rotate the pot in the air for an extended period.
Pull-down faucets. Pull-down faucets are easy to use and are very versatile. Pull-down faucets are usually taller in height, giving more room for you to maneuver when doing the dishes. Pull-down faucets are easy to use with their sleek design. You can pull the extendable nozzle out to wash the side of the pot instead of lifting and rotating the pot.
Pull-out faucets are similar to pull-down faucets but the entire faucet pulls out. They pull out on the side instead of being pulled down. Pull-out faucets can be more like a shower head in appearance. The faucet itself is also not as tall when compared to the pull-down faucets.
Side Accessories
Some kitchen sink setups have soap dispensers on the side. The soap dispenser makes the surface neater and cleaner. Since the soap bottle is mounted under the countertop, it leaves the top of the surface clutter-free and tidy.
Other than soap dispensers, there are also filtered water faucets for some sink setups. The tap water goes through a filter set up before coming out of the thin faucet on the side. Even though tap water can be consumed, it is safer to have a filtration system to get rid of any impurities before drinking. For people who don’t have water filters, boiling tap water before drinking it also ensures safer consumption.
Some faucets have a separate spray nozzle on the side where the soap dispenser would have been. People may get faucets with a separate stray nozzle to fill in an existing hole in their countertop or simply for aesthetic purposes. Having a separate spray nozzle can ensure that the normal faucet will get less wear and tear since you’re not touching the faucet head as often.
Bathroom Lavatory Faucets
Bathroom faucets have some varieties as well. Though the differences may be more subtle when compared to kitchen faucets. Lavatory faucets are also usually simpler in design than kitchen faucets. They do not have extendable nozzles since most people would just use the showerhead if they need to rinse off something larger.
Bathroom faucets are shorter and closer to the sink bowl than kitchen faucets. Since bathroom sinks are not intended to wash a lot of things - it’s intended to wash hands - it does not need to have so much space between the faucet and sink.
Materials
There are several different materials for faucets. The most popular faucet materials would be different metals such as stainless steel, brass, and zinc. Many of them consist of more than just one metal, with additional metal and nonmetal coatings.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, usually around 60% copper for brass faucets. Brass faucets are good, they do not corrode with constant contact with water. Both soft and hard water will not be a problem. Hard water is water that has high mineral content, high in both calcium and magnesium content. Soft water is water with a lower level of minerals or no minerals at all.
Different Coating Finishes
There are different coatings for faucets as a final touch. They are important if you want to have your faucet’s appearance last longer and increase its durability.
There is the process of electroplating which uses electricity as the name suggests. Electricity is used to bind a thin layer of metal on the faucet’s surface in an acidic bath. The process results in a very durable layer of hard metal on the surface of the faucet. They have a low likelihood of chipping, but they can still be scratched if you’re not careful.
Powder coating also uses electricity, but it’s used to bind powdered thermoplastic to the faucet. This method results in a coating that is harder than regular paint, making it more difficult to wear down. However, just like normal paint, they are brittle and can chip. Many colors are available, the finish is smooth and matte, perfect for people who want to cover the metallic look of their faucets.
Lacquer is a clear coating that prevents the metal from corroding for faucets. It keeps the color of the metal from changing as well, keeping the color from when it was manufactured. However, the lacquer does wear off, and when it does, it tends to wear off unevenly, creating a spotty faucet.
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